Christmas-palooza!

We are fortunate enough to have a rather large family. Of course that translates into multiple Christmas celebrations and stops; and way too much shit coming into my already too small house. Am I the only person the balks at mounds of presents? They have to go somewhere folks!

We started our four stop Christmas tour at home. 

Opening stockings.

This was too funny. The ladies have developed very different personalities and are totally content to do their own thing. Emma was all about ripping into her stocking while Claire was more delicate. Claire definitely took her time, she emptied, unwrapped, and analyzed each item. Emma took more of an announce and on to the next approach. 

After opening their stockings and two presents, they needed a break. LOL! They are accustomed to sippies first thing in the morning and I certainly was attempting to break the routine. Please note, no interest at all in the big sheeted thing!

Staying true to myself, I kept Christmas small. The ladies received few gifts. DH and I even exchanged more than they received! They knew know better and I certainly don't want to have children expecting lavish Christmases nor do I have space for all this stuff! We saved their kitchen for the end and I loved that they were totally uninterested in the big, blue sheet. It was as if this big, blue mound had always been in the living room! I also wasn't thinking too clearly and was really surprised that they had no idea all their kitchen accessories, which they received prior, were for the kitchen. They were content just receiving play food and kitchen things. I should have stopped there LOL!

My surprise "one-upper" gift wasn't very surprising. But it was free! I won a flat tv at work and totally re-gift to DH. Where this behemoth is going to go is beyond me. It's his problem now! The irony that the girl that doesn't watch television and wants to quit get's the tv was too much for my boss to handle. 

After our Christmas morning we stopped at my parents house. We had another Christmas morning with them since they weren't going to my cousin's house. The girls received far too many gifts, and I could tell my mother felt it wasn't enough. Christmas had a very weird vibe this year but I just went with it. Luckily mother insisted on pictures, it saves me from wrestling them into dresses for pictures at home. While it's not in front of our tree, it's a dress picture and I'm satisfied. I think this might have been my last year making dresses. :(

Following my parent's we headed to my cousin's. Christmas #3. The girls were again, horribly spoiled. Only this time there was food, and no stress. Always a bonus around the holidays! The generosity of people amazes me. 

It also makes me a bit sick, I had to find a place for all of this! Living and dining room full! I had to break all this down after two sugar-spun ladies finally made it to bed. After we returned home we ended up back at my mothers who thought it was just sooo cute the girls were asking for, and unwrapping chocolate, that she gave it to them. Multiple pieces. After 7 pm. I nearly died. After day #1 of Christmases I was pretty much done with the holiday, but it wasn't done with us. 

The 26th was DH's family Christmas. The 26th worked better for everyone and it meant that we didn't have to drive 4 hours on Christmas in addition to everything else! The in-laws asked us to stop by on our was to SIL's. They needed us to take a few things up.

This friends, is not a few things. 

This is a shit-ton of things. 

This is amazing for two people, on a fixed income, who rarely leave the house. 

This is the way it has always been. 

Seriously.

Did I mention their car was full too?! Everyone get's a giant gift bag full. EVERYONE! Unless you've asked for big things, then you get two bags! I don't have a coming home picture, but it looked the same only with the trunk completely full. So full that when DH saw Mr. Po-po following us, he turned off to avoid a citation. Under feet, between kids, and the trunk full. I think it's time to get a Thule for the Subie.

But after seeing their cousins, and staying out waaaaaay too late, and reveling in all the excitement, the girls slept like logs....with their new dolls. 

I hate dolls.

These aren't horrible, but ick, dolls.

I guess there are something I just have to accept, especially if they LOVE them. Sigh. 

Our Christmas haul has nearly finished our 3T collection. The girls have a fully stocked kitchen and the excess is being shipped to HAM's new kitchen. They have some new books to rotate in. I love that we weren't buried in toys, especially since I still have a toy from LAST CHRISTMAS they haven't received, and some from their birthday. I also need to remember to mix things up for next year when giving lists. They received 3 play.doh kits. Which means HAM received play.doh. 

I love that despite all the gifts and craziness, my ladies are still talking about seeing their cousins and family. When they see something they received from someone, they remind me who gave it to them and usually how that person is related or where they live(random). It makes me feel that I just might be doing something right! 

What I Wouldn't Give...

...for a video monitor right now!

The girls' have made it to big girl beds!!

MY BABY JAILS ARE GONE!!!!!!!

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quite thrilled.

Very pleased, and Miss Bear is hard to please.

Happily relaxing after bath, as if this was something she's always done.

Not captured, the toddler's natural instinct to jump on the bed.

Miss Bear was excited.

During our new story time routine. Guess who just got her bedroom back! Two thumbs point right back to this chick!!

Right before bed, she is always mining for gold. GAH!

So excited!

So here I sit. Desperate to know what is going to but settled to find out in the morning. So far I've heard:

• Sea horses sing-totally normal(although with nearly dead batteries so you get the creepy music)
• Girl talk
• Some rolling around

That's it. No pitter patters. No shouts for help. They just settled in like it was nothing. 

I'm thankful. 

I'm hopeful. 

I'm missing my babies.

Christmas Eve Craft Link Up

I'm linking up with Marcia, FINALLY! Please go visit her page and keep her in your thoughts, poor K won't be home for the holidays! This BREAKS.MY.HEART!

Preparing for Christmas was done in segments, so here are some of our bits and pieces.

It started with the reindeer shirts I made for our ill-fated Santa visit. We're just not Santa girls, yet.

Then we started making cards.

And more cards.

And still more because we have lots of Grandmas and Aunties.

I think I deserve 27 bonus points for the deer names. It's pretty lame but it will be amazing to a Grandma.

We made an ornament for the big tree after we made the ornaments for the playroom tree. These have names and dates on the back. While they are pretty hokie, and I cringed letting them pick the colors (seriously, a blue reindeer with ORANGE nose?!), they will be sentimental in 12 years. 

I also got some gift-crafting done. 

This is a fabric covered magnet board for my niece. She wanted a bulletin board but the idea of thumb tacks in 8 year old's bedroom still scares me. I really liked the fabric so I bought more for myself. I'm thinking a crock-pot cover. I'm such an old lady!

In addition to this gift, I'm also gifting eleventy-seven pumpkin rolls. I'm going to try to make cute little paper holders for them. The BIL, SIL, and niece's family are also getting homemade peppermint bark and brownies. I'm cheap. Baking is easy. They weren't in my budget because we *weren't* going to see them. That changed. But my budget is together! HA!

I hope everyone has a great Christmukkah. 

I'm not feeling very Christmas-y and I'm not sure why. 

Car Nap

Self designated nap time is usually a wonderful thing. Usually. Today, not so much. The ladies strayed from our traditional 1:30 nap time slot instead choosing 11 on out ride home. I tried to rouse them as I drove with no luck. They were down for the count. If I went home they would wake up, grouchy, and refuse a nap later. We also have to leave to pick DH up by 3 so their timing was pretty much horrible.

However, being the kind, benevolent, and generous mother I am they're napping. Who cares that my head is pounding and I have to PEEEEEEE? Sure I probably look more than a little shady trying to relax in the back of the parking lot. My ladies will wake up and hopefully not be so cranky! It also ensures we can eat out and I don't have to make lunch!

So here's to hoping nap is over soon, my head and bladder don't explode, and that I finish my shopping before it's time to retrieve the husband-creature!

Cawfee Talk

1. What is your favorite holiday television special?
2. When you buy new underwear, do you wash it first?
3. If you could live anywhere for 6 months, where would it be?
4. What is your least favorite meal of the day and why?
5. Do you think that people who wear fingerless gloves look homeless?
6. Are you a texter?  Or a talker?
7. Have you been naughty?  Or nice?

1. I think my favorite would have to be any of the Rankin-Bass specials including the Easter ones they used to play. New hobby-collecting all the shows!
2. Of course I wash it! What if someone put it on?! Gross! How can you just put them on? I think I have the shivers just thinking about the co-mingling of "stuff."
3. Somewhere with sea, sand, and few people. Preferably something cut off from society, I can't stand the touristy areas. 
4. I hate breakfast. I rarely eat it. This morning I caved and had a caramello at 9! DH hates it, he is all about pancakes and bacon on the weekends. 
5. I hate fingerless gloves, they just look trashy. Even if they have the flip up mitten part. There is no excuse, they have smart touch gloves now. 
6. Texter. I rarely answer the phone. I'll ignore calls to text a response to the person. I also hate make necessary calls. I'm all about text and email, I need to see it to understand/think/process.
7. Naughty. I'm a terrible wife!

Go join Rebecca!

Fridee Night

So since I'm an old lady, my Friday night start when nap time begins. I was able to paint a salt dough ornament for a friend. It was a graduation ornament. That's what she gets for graduating in December. 

For some reason I'm ridiculously proud of how well this turned out! 

And yes I did google to make sure I put the tassel on the right side!

On the drive home I promptly fell asleep, only to wake up at Chic.k-Fil-A. Hooray for not cooking! I think the husband creature is trying to make up some of the points he's lost over the concert season. After we put the girls down it was tree time.

Here is Esmerelda in all her beauty. 

DH moved the furniture and brought her in. I strapped her in and we freed her from her net. In the process we lost between 16-20 sq. ft. from our living room. It's a family tradition to but big trees. Although we are no where near the monster trees my FIL would bring home, it does take up a sizable portion of our already too-small living room. But it's Christmas, and who doesn't love a big tree?

Also, I have respectfully requested of myself to get my ass in gear and paint the living room. That window sill has been stripped for 5 years, but is usually hidden by the couch. Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday!

The rest of the evening I worked on shirts. Tomorrow is breakfast with Santa and since the girls love their turkey shirts soo much I felt reindeer were in order.

I most definitely ripped the turkeys from the shirt and threw on reindeer. They will wear this shirt for all of a day. I wasn't spending money for new shirts. Although they did love their turkeys a little too much I fear and are sleeping with them tonight and all their fraying goodness!

It's now 11:30 and time for me to hit the hay. Santa apparently likes breakfast between 8-10 so hopefully they'll sleep in a bit!

Flip Flops

I'm linking up with Marcia to show off my kicks!

So I have to confess, I live in what I call flip flops. But in reality, I hate flip flops. I will NEVER wear them. I just can't do things between my toes. I've tried and failed. No flip flops here. I do the kind without the panic inducing toe separation device. Call them sandals, slides, or what have you- I call them my flips and they are the only pair of shoes I wear.

Here they are in all their glor

I can't quite recall when I purchased these. I think it was right after or right before we bought our house. That would make them roughly 5 years old. Prior to these I wore another similar pair that had a rubber bottom that was filled with tiny beads. I had those throughout high school. We called them the ant ball pit. That pair lasted years! They finally cracked, the rubber dry rotted, and when they started to bite my feet I gave in and replaced them.

However this pair was cast aside when I received my "wedding shoes." LOL! I bought a $20 dress and $150 sandals! They were my go to shoes until I came home from work one day to collect the remains, stupid dog. Why is it the expensive leather tastes better?

This pair isn't holding up so great. Please note the hole in the fabric. I've been casually looking for new sandals, but the thought of having to break them in deters me. 

So they're pretty shabby. But they are my go to shoes. I use them for everything from grocery shopping to grass mowing, from a day at the beach to casual dinner out. They are my favorite shoes. I only own maybe 7 more pairs, most with specific purposes. I have rain boots, although I still wear my flip flops on the rain. I have snow boots, for shoveling because once there is a path I can wear my flips. I own 2-3 pairs of heels for dressing up, a game a never get the chance to play anymore. Lastly there are my work shoes which are just gross. 

So there you have it, I'm just not a shoe girl. I'd much rather go barefoot. With winter nearly here, I'm looking to get a proper pair of shoes but they're just so restrictive and uncomfortable. I think I'll pretend it's 1998 again and get a stylish pair of clogs! Maybe I'll actually get the crocs I've been looking at. Either way, nothing will replace my flips. 

Ten Things for Thursday

So I have a blog crush on Rebecca and steal her stuff. This time she actually offered it. I've totally be in one of those if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all moods. No one wants to hear me complain all the time right? It's the holiday season and all that jazz...

10 things I LOVE:

1. Nap time on rainy afternoons.
2. When crafty kid-projects turn out semi-presentable.
3. Begging for my craft time.
4. Coooookies!
5. One on one time with HAM.
6. The smell of Chicken Soup cooking.
7. Baking. In case that wasn't obvious with the cookies above.
8. Watching the crab "fish" in the water plants. He's my buddy. 
9. Making surprises.
10. Online shopping! Goodbye monies!!!

10 things I HATE:

1. Walking the dogs in the rain. Cue husband, stage right.
2. Cleaning or disposing of poop. From anyone or thing.
3. Pimples. Especially period pimples.
4. Over-decorated houses. Lights are pretty but lets not blow the power grid, m'kay?
5. Group scream sessions. Seriously ladies, why so loud??
6. Migraines.
7. Year end finances.
8. Unnecessary and incessant media coverage, regardless of topic.
9. Wasting time.
10. Apps only offered to iPhones. Sorry I'm not a cool kid yet with my android. And yes I am insanely jealous!

10 things I could give a shit about:

1. The war "ending", it's not over till everyone is home. 
2. My mother's girl parts. Bet you were thrilled to read that!
3. Finishing the basement in a timely manner. 
4. Same goes for the laundry room and bathroom.
5. How much I spent on Christmas. I think I'd rather not know.
6. How much interest I earned in my escrow. It's really not worth anything.
7. DH wanting to retire.
8. My sister coming to visit. I have no intention of seeing her. I think I'll try to be busy for spite. 
9. How much my mother dislikes me hatred of her other daughter. Yep, it's totally hatred and it feels good. 
10. That people make assumptions when they find out that I am the band director's wife. 

This is the last concert of DH's concert season. This is it. It is over. HOLLA! Hopefully now we can focus a little more time on family, and our house. Perhaps we'll even put up the tree that's been sitting outside for a week! I was so psyched for Christmas but it has all fizzled out. On the upside, the girls are now becoming immersed in the idea of kissmass trees and yights!

Terrible Tuesday

I totally stole this title, thanks Rebecca! I'm jealous of your fully decorated tree, mine is sitting outside still. DH has a method and we don't mess with methods....

I had grandiose plans! Today was going to be super productive and the ladies were going to be enthusiastic angels helping me out!

However....

• I wanted a full nights' sleep; Emma began calling at 2:30-wet again.
• I wanted to savor every last minute in bed; a water buffalo jumped out of the shower and landed on my bed after he turned on the lights. 
• I wanted to finish making cookies; the girls wanted to build.
• I wanted to make cards; the girls wanted to build.
• I let the girls build; they wants to play in the bathroom-WTH?
• DH wanted the dentist's number; his bridge came loose-FAN-FREAKIN-TASTIC!
• The dentist is seeing him today but he'll come home with another estimate for more work. Maybe it's time to trade this ride in... LOL!
• I went to the bathroom; hello Auntie Flow, back again soo soon?! 
• I wanted to clean up lunch; the girls wanted to jump on the couch.
• I wanted to make cute hand print trees for cards; the girls wanted to defecate and throw noodles. 
• I wanted to ice my sugar cookies; I forgot corn syrup. 

So here I sit, trying to decide on a microwave and reflecting on my failure of a day. The cookies were baked but not iced, the cards were started but not finished. Tomorrow I want to do something productive but things aren't looking too promising. In fact, tonight's not looking so hot either. I think I'll forgo the microwave hunt and focus on training pants since diapers are out of the question for Emma and this white girl is desperate for sleep! I'm so ready for concert season to be over with!

How is your Tuesday?

Holiday Spirit

Welcome to the most expensive time of year! I, myself, am starting to feel pretty festive. The packages are greeting me from the porch each day and I still have time before the credit card companies start mailing their January statements! It wasn't until this past weekend with the hanging of the lights and sorting through the mound of gifts that I really started to get into the holiday spirit. I'm a little unsure of how to drum-up the ladies, especially since they are still young and I really don't want to play up the jolly red elf. Santa doesn't work all year for the gifts and he certain isn't the one wrapping them! Does that make me a scrooge? We're still doing breakfast with Santa, and I'm sure they'll know who Santa is eventually but I don't feel a need to really play up the fantasy. I also don't want to be the mother screaming baseless threats about Santa watching and no presents in the middle of Target. Nope. Not my style. 

None the less I feel the need to Christmas-y. So the ladies got their first salt-dough ornament experience. I must admit that my cousin and I were far more excited about it. Far more. 

They did do the stamping of the cutter, assisted. Emma and HAM continually tried to eat it. Emma was practically begging to try it! Have at it kid!

The next day we painted and I totally showed them up! Amateurs! They have a long way to go to catch up with this expert!!

Then, just what every play room needs- A "tee"!! Yes that is 21.5ft of lighting wrapped around a 2 ft tree.

They had fun telling me where to put the ornaments.

I was more amazed that they were so intrigued. They would have happily sat and watched (and played) with it all day long. 

Today I actually hung our ornaments on the tree. I'm waiting for the thread to break from all the touching and grabbing!

So where are you on the festive scale?

Playroom

 This past Monday started off like any other. We ate, we brushed, we went up to the ever evolving play room. But after internet browsing the playroom didn't feel so much like the designer playrooms of my google search dreams. Sure there was neat stuff, and it was a room where we played. I needed more. The ladies are cool and they needed something more structured and organized. Or perhaps I needed something more structured not that I'm totally controlling and manic...

I totally ignored and neglected the children. Sorry if you are playing but go over there because we need to do this. They didn't understand and I heard more than once "Mommy wut you doin?" But they just left me to my own devices. It helped that my cousin is awesome and let me do as I please. This is at her house as we don't have the space. This room was previously a spare bedroom with a futon, papasan chair, night stand and wardrobe. The best part is that aside from a new magnetic whiteboard, no money has been spent! HOLLA! I take a certain amount of pride in repurposing!

So without further ado, our playroom. Sorry for the crap phone pictures.

This is the art/craft area. The whiteboard has been moved.

Here I am in the process of hanging a clothesline to display our art work. Luckily I had helpers to make sure things were level. I stuck the clothes pins on the wall with mounting strips so there is no damage to the wall and I don't have to worry about the lines falling under the weigh of papers and projects.

Next is the sensory table. The bins in the table are filled currently with dry noodles and pom-poms. The girls love to use cups, spoons, and scoops to dig, stir, and dump. Underneath I used the bins, and I do plan on purchasing another so it's balanced total OCD move, to hold toys. 

Next to the sensory table is the reading corner. I am using the old nightstand to house the books. All the tiny board books fit nicely. I also pilled the stuffed animals in an old clothes basket to keep them penned up. I believe my cousin is going to 86' the nightstand and put up gutter bookshelves which I'm super excited about.

Of course pulling all the books out makes for a more enjoyable experience.

Next to the reading corner is the papasan chair that holds the nap time blankets. No ever really sits in the chair, but the foot stool is essential! It's the perfect height for me to sit and reach their table without being on the floor and it's a nice reminder that I don't always have to sink to their level! I like to be above the screamies sometimes!

Then, slightly blocked by the chair, is the closet. The wardrobe went in to free up floor space!

It was also cleaned out and restocked with all the craft supplies. Here is to hoping that two sets of doors will keep SIX little hands away from glitter!

  

This was the potty and time-out corner. It was nice because it was away from the action. But then I found a board...

...and ditched the naughty corner. Busy hands don't get into trouble right? So what if the ladies grow up thinking it's a-ok to pop a squat in the middle of the room? I'm on the hunt for some flat backed planter baskets to hang beneath the board to hold all the magnets. I ordered letters for Christmas and I think we'll decorate some popsicle sticks and salt ornaments to make more magnets out of. 

I have to admit that I've been inspired by PAHM and have been scouring the internet for more ideas. I love the idea of the girls exploring and crafting over them just playing with toys. After Christmas they'll have a pretend play section as HAM is also getting a play kitchen. If they show an interest in puppets I would LOVE to make a puppet stage or maybe a rolling dress up rack if that's the road they take. 

So what is your play area like? I'm curious to see what everyone else has going on!! 

Goal Time!

A date with my Husband is in order I had to plan it but I made it happen

Decide on Thanksgiving and make appropriate plans

Finish up x-mas shopping I failed, but I'm almost there! I need to stop adding on

X-mas card list and addresses I am missing a few addresses

Make x-mas cards and have them printed I couldn't decide on just one, and I got a great deal!

Make x-mas dresses!!! Both dresses are cut, pieced, and partially sewn

Buy a pair of covered shoes FAIL Still rocking flip flops

Find some new bras (impossible!) I picked some out, the $300 price had me shying away!!

Perhaps, just maybe, paint the living room I moved the can behind the couch

Not the most successful month. But I did get other things not on my list accomplished and I maintained some order so I won't consider it a total wash. I did get a kid potty trained and although I didn't actually do much to accomplish it, it takes precedence over painting the living room! 

That's right, EMMA IS IN PANTIES!!!

But that deserves a post unto itself. 

Given my lacking success and the upcoming winter holiday season, I'm going simple for December. To be fair, I didn't check back and harass myself to get November's list done. It just faded from my memory. So here goes December, feel free to check back throughout the month and harass me!

Finish Christmas shopping

Wrap, address, and group together all my gifts

Plan out a surprise

Year end finances (yes I have to do!)

2012 budget

Settle myself with resigning (quitting sounds bad)

Buy a pair of shoes

Schedule family pictures

The Christmas goals are pretty wimpy but the mountain of bags on my cedar chest is eating at me. I see if every morning and want to throw it all away. Plus that cat LOVES plastic bags and crinkling bags is not what I want to hear at 3:47 in the morning. I have lots of crafts planned for the ladies to get us into the holiday spirit. I have to admit for the first time in a while I'm actually getting excited about Christmas. I hope this doesn't get derailed in the next 23 days!

Holiday Greetings!

So I'm shameless and love a good deal! I'm posting for a coupon and you should too! Shutterfly has a great sale going on right now and I just ordered our Christmas cards and saved a bundle. I started to make my own but opted to go for their templates. I've also ordered a mug (on sale), a photo book (on sale), calendars (on sale), and got free shipping! I love seeing savings greater than my total spent. LOVE IT! So go check it out!

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.